These Are the Easiest International Destinations to Visit Right Now
The Easiest Places to Travel to This Spring and Summer
The world has largely reopened more than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic and travelers have plenty of excellent destinations to choose from this spring. While COVID-19 vaccination, testing and quarantine requirements continue to vary by destination, a positive trend is emerging with many countries and territories dropping restrictions altogether, eliminating any and all confusion after a long period of uncertainty. Whether you’re planning your bucket list journey through Europe or dream vacation to the Caribbean, the possibilities are seemingly endless in 2022 but some destinations simply can’t be beaten in terms of their ease of access. Here are some of the least restrictive overseas destinations Americans can travel to right now.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic remains one of the most accessible destinations in the world as visitors are not required to present proof of vaccination against COVID-19 nor a negative test result in order to gain entry. “Most travelers (for example, from the United States, Canada, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Panama, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Puerto Rico, etc.) do not need to present a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival to enter the Dominican Republic. Airports and other ports of entry will perform a quick, aleatory test on a percentage of passengers, and all those who present symptoms, upon arrival,” officials state. The Traveler’s Health Affidavit, Customs Declaration and International Embarkation/Disembarkation forms have been combined into a single digital form that visitors can submit through the Electronic Ticket Portal prior to arrival.
Mexico
Americans can also continue to visit Mexico without COVID-19 vaccination, testing or quarantine requirements. According to the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico, “passengers and aircrew members arriving at Mexican airports may be subject to health screenings including temperature checks. Those exhibiting symptoms may be subject to additional health screening and/or quarantine.”
Ireland
Ireland recently dropped all COVID-19 restrictions, meaning that visitors no longer need to provide proof of vaccination or recovery, negative test results or the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) that was previously required for entry.
The Bahamas
The Bahamas is just a short flight or sailing from Florida’s southeast coast and is only requiring that visitors obtain a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than three days prior to the date of arrival and apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa at travel.gov.bs. Fully vaccinated travelers can submit an antigen or PCR test result while unvaccinated visitors over the age of 12 will require a PCR result.
United Kingdom
Like Ireland, the U.K. dropped all remaining COVID-19 travel restrictions last month, doing away with the need for pre- and post-travel testing for unvaccinated international arrivals and the U.K. Passenger Locator Form (PLF).
Jamaica
Americans can visit the Caribbean island of Jamaica with a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival (age 12 and older) but no longer need to complete the Jamaica Ministry of Health Travel Authorization ahead of their trip.
Costa Rica
As of April 1, Costa Rica no longer requires travelers to complete an online Health Pass and unvaccinated visitors are no longer required to purchase a travel insurance policy. What’s more, all commercial establishments, activities, and events can operate at 100 percent capacity.
Malta
Travelers eyeing a getaway to the Mediterranean this spring should consider Malta. The country is open to fully vaccinated individuals who verify their vaccine certificate through the VeriFLY app and plans to allow unvaccinated travelers with a negative PCR test taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival or proof of recovery within the past 180 days to enter from April 11.
Spain
Visiting Spain is a breeze right now for those travelers who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and can provide proof. Travelers can also enter with proof of recovery while visitors aged 12 to 17 can provide a vaccination, recovery certificate or a negative PCR test that was taken within 72 hours of embarkation. Keep in mind that children under 12 are exempt from all entry requirements.
Belize
Belize lifted most COVID-related travel restrictions at the start of April, dropping mask mandates, curfews and capacity limits. Fully vaccinated individuals can visit without any testing requirements but will still need to purchase Belize Travel Health Insurance, which costs $18 for 21 days of coverage.
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia has suspended pre-entry COVID-19 testing requirements for fully vaccinated visitors, meaning that inoculated travelers no longer have to register on the Saint Lucia portal and upload their proof of vaccination and negative PCR test results. Instead, these individuals will provide vaccination proof when asked at flight check-in, during boarding and upon entry to the island.
Grenada
Elsewhere in the Caribbean, Grenada has dropped all remaining COVID-19 travel requirements. As of April 4, all visitors, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status, no longer require testing, proof of vaccination, quarantine or a completed Health Declaration Form.
Sweden
On April 1, Sweden dropped all travel restrictions and entry requirements for all travelers, not just those visiting from inside the European Union, regardless of vaccination status. “This will make it much easier for everyone who has been prevented from coming to Sweden in recent years due to the pandemic,” said Morgan Johansson, Sweden’s minister for justice and home affairs, according to Lonely Planet.
Norway
Norway did away with testing, quarantining and pre-travel registration requirements on February 12, meaning that all COVID-19 entry requirements have been lifted for all travelers to Norway.
Denmark
Denmark dropped any and all remaining COVID-19 entry restrictions for all travelers as recently as March 29, providing travelers with yet another vacation destination possibility in Europe, regardless of vaccination status.
Italy
Italy eased its entry requirements for travelers from non-European Union countries such as the United States last month, which means that fully vaccinated travelers no longer need a negative test result while unvaccinated travelers no longer need to quarantine if they can show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test or a recovery certificate.
Curacao
Curacao has eased many of its COVID-19 restrictions. The island no longer requires a recent negative COVID-19 test for entry, regardless of a traveler’s vaccination status. Visitors will only have to worry about applying for entry via the Curacao Entry Portal and filling out a Passenger Locator Card.
The Maldives
Travelers visiting the Maldives no longer face COVID-19 testing requirements. They’ll only need to fill out the Traveler Health Declaration Form prior to entering as of March 5.
Aruba
Aruba is no longer requiring any testing, quarantine or vaccination proof for entry into the island. However, visitors will still need to complete an Aruba Embarkation/Disembarkation card prior to their arrival and purchase Aruba Visitors Insurance.